Whiteswan Lake
BC Parks Sites available
Elk Lakes
BC Parks kootenays · British Columbia
what to expect
A per-person fee is charged at Lower Elk Lake and Petain Creek Campgrounds which have tent pads, outhouses and food caches (designated areas). Wilderness camping is not permitted within 2 km of a designated area. The Alpine Club of Canada is permitted to operate a small public cabin, on behalf of BC Parks, at the trailhead. For more information or reservations contact the Alpine Club of Canada at 403-678-3200 or http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca.
the basics
Flush toilets
what to know
Updated each morning from provincial parks and Environment Canada.
No fire ban active
Last checked from the provincial fire-ban feed. Check at the gate before you light — conditions change.
what to bring
This list adapts to Elk Lakes. no showers means a travel towel;
common questions about Elk Lakes
- does Elk Lakes have electric hookups?
- No. Elk Lakes Provincial Park does not list electric hookups in its amenity profile. Plan for off-grid use.
- how far is Elk Lakes from Calgary?
- Elk Lakes Provincial Park is 96 km from Calgary. Use Google Maps for current drive times — they account for terrain, traffic, ferries, and closures we can't.
- do you need reservations at Elk Lakes?
- Yes. Elk Lakes Provincial Park is operated by BC Parks and uses an online reservation system. Book direct via the operator link on this page.
nearby places
Within ~100 km of Elk Lakes.
want to camp at Elk Lakes?
Cancellation alerts are coming. We’ll email when sites open up at this park.
One email. Unsubscribe anytime. We don’t share addresses. — [email protected]
Give back to this place
volunteer at BC Parks
Provincial parks rely on volunteer stewards for trail maintenance, beach clean-ups, and shoulder-season hosting. Most parks run programs through their park association.
See how to help →